Hubert Helling

Hubert W. Helling, 90, of Meridian, slipped away on Sept. 14, 2010 in Meridian. He was born in Madison, S.D., on May 26, 1920, the son of William and Helen (Freiberghaus) Helling. His brother Kenneth was four years older and sister Vernis two years younger. Hubert attended one-room, rural elementary schools and Eastern High School on the campus of Eastern State College in Madison, S.D. It was there, at 16, that he met the love of his life, Virginia Hubbard. At 19, both Hubert and Virginia chose to go to Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, in the fall of 1939. Their friendship continued and they were married on Sept. 11, 1941. Both graduated from NNC, and Hubert took graduate work there before they moved to their first pastorate. To their marriage were added four children: Douglas, Denise, Gerald, and Christine. Hubert served as pastor of churches in Nampa; Elgin, Ore., and Gooding. In 1952, Hubert, Virginia, and their three children were sent to Japan by the Church of the Nazarene. They served as missionaries in Japan for 28 years in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Sapporo. Hubert served as chairman of the mission for 24 years. All who knew him knew of his love for Japan and the Japanese people. In 1982, soon after his retirement from the mission field, he was employed by the Washington Pacific District of the Nazarene Church to promote ethnic ministries in churches in the Seattle area. He also served as an associate pastor there. The Hellings lived in Seattle for 21 years. In 2002, Hubert and Virginia moved to Boise to be near their sons — Douglas and Gerry. Soon after moving to Boise, Hubert began serving as part-time chaplain at the Idaho State Veteran's Home. He thoroughly enjoyed his work with the veterans. He also volunteered for pastoral visitation to hospitalized church members at St. Luke's and St. Alphonsus hospitals. Hubert and Virginia have had a rewarding, interesting, and full life, beginning on farms in South Dakota and then in Seattle and Boise. On furloughs, Hubert traveled extensively and spoke in every state in the United States and in all the provinces of Canada. He and Virginia toured both New Zealand and Australia. And they taught six months at a church school in Switzerland, traveling through Western Europe, England and Ireland. Hubert's philosophy of life has been, "Try to leave the world a better place for your having lived there." Above all, he was most thankful for having been able to share his life, work, and travels with his beloved wife and best friend Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Helen Helling and his brother Kenneth. Surviving relatives include his wife Virginia; sister, Vernis of Lewiston; children, Douglas and Gerald and wife Barbara (Sandquist) Helling, all of Boise; daughter, Denise Hipp of Seattle, Washington, and daughter Christine and husband Ronn Johnson of San Diego, Calif. He is also survived by grandchildren Ian and John Helling of Boise; Renee and husband Kevin Warner, of Seattle; Richard Dennis, of Seattle; Rachell (Johnson) and Craig Buell, of Denver, Colo., and Ross Johnson, of San Diego; two great-grandchildren, Eric and Meagan Warner of Seattle, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He enjoyed and loved them all. A Memorial Service to honor and celebrate his life will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 20, at First Church of the Nazarene - 601 16th Ave. So. - Nampa. The family will greet loved ones and friends at the Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel, 404 10th Ave. So. - Nampa - 466-3545 on Sunday, Sept. 19 from 4 - 5 P.M. Memories and condolences may be sent to www@alsipfuneralchapel.com. The family suggests that memorial contributions can be made to the Memorial Scholarship Fund, Office of University Advancement, Northwest Nazarene University, 623 Holly St., Nampa, ID, 83686-5897.